Spinning amusement device with tethered object

ABSTRACT

An amusement device is provided that can be used as an electric yo-yo and as a mechanism for producing aesthetically pleasing string oscillations. The amusement device includes a battery operated spinning mechanism that can be selectively turned on and off by a person using the device. A flexible tether is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end of the tether is coupled to the spinning mechanism and is spun by the spinning mechanism. A display object is coupled to the second end of the flexible tether, wherein the flexible tether is the only physical interconnection between the spinning mechanism and the display object. The spinning mechanism can be used either to rotate the tether to create oscillations in the tether, or wind the tether, thereby creating a yo-yo with the display object.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/659,009, entitled Spinning Amusement Device WithTethered Object, filed Sep. 11, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to amusement devices that contain atethered object that spins or whirls. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to amusement devices that contain a tethered objectthat spins under power from an electric motor.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] The prior art of toys and amusement devices is replete with manyexamples of tethered objects that are spun using the tether. Many suchprior art devices are spun using manual power. Such prior are devicesare exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 2,307,905 to Ament, entitled AnimalExerciser, wherein a ball is connected to a stick with a tether.

[0006] In the prior art, there also exist many devices where a tetheredobject is connected to a battery powered motor. As such, objects can becaused to spin without the need of manual exertion. Such prior artdevices are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,844 to Markowitz,entitled Interactive Vibrating Toy and U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,702 toBelokin, entitled Display Having An Electric Motor For Simulating AFlying Object.

[0007] In prior art devices that use electric motors, the tether thatconnects the motor to the spinning object is typically rigid or at leastsemi-rigid. The use of a semi-rigid tether holds the tethered objectaway from the spinning motor. In this manner, the tether does not becomeentangled around the spinning motor as the tether rotates around thespinning motor.

[0008] A problem associated with using a rigid or semi-rigid tether isthat the tether itself tends to have a fixed configuration as it spins.As a result, the tether itself tends to be uninteresting as it spins. Incertain spinning amusement device, flexible tethers are purposely usedso that the tether itself adds to the optical aesthetics of the device.Such a prior art device is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,126 toBrown, entitled Vibratory Multi-Wave Toy. In the Brown patent, aflexible tether is wrapped around a rigid shaft. As the tether is spun,the tether oscillates at different frequencies and forms interestingpatters to observe. The tether is prevented from tangling and wrappingaround the motor by the presence of the rigid shaft.

[0009] Although the rigid shaft in the Brown device prevents the tetherfrom tangling, it also severely limits the degrees of freedom inmovement that can be experienced by the oscillating tether.Consequently, the shapes into which the spinning tether can be conformedare very limited.

[0010] A need therefore exists in the art for an amusement device with aspinning tether that does not have limitations in its rotationalmovement, yet has features that prevent the tether from tangling whenspun. This need is met by the present invention as it is described andclaimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention is an amusement device that can be used asan electric yo-yo and as a mechanism for producing aestheticallypleasing string oscillations. The amusement device includes a batteryoperated spinning mechanism that can be selectively turned on and off bya person using the device. A flexible tether is provided having a firstend and a second end. The first end of the tether is coupled to thespinning mechanism and is spun by the spinning mechanism. A displayobject is coupled to the second end of the flexible tether, wherein theflexible tether is the only physical interconnection between thespinning mechanism and the display object. The spinning mechanism can beused either to rotate the tether to create oscillations in the tether,or wind the tether, thereby creating a yo-yo with the display object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference ismade to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof,considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of anamusement device in accordance with the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, shown in the upstroke of a yo-yo application;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in thedown stroke of a yo-yo application;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in atether oscillation application;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of an amusementdevice in a tether oscillation application;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 shown in a freespinning application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention amusement device 10 is shown. The amusement device 10 iscomprised of three primary parts, which are a spinning mechanism 12, adisplay object 14 and a flexible tether 16 that interconnects thedisplay object 14 to the spinning mechanism 12.

[0020] In the shown embodiment, the spinning mechanism 12 includes botha housing 18 and a spool 20. The housing acts as a handle and provides astructure that can easily be grasped in a user's hand. In the housing 18are a motor and batteries to power the motor. The motor is connected tothe spool 20. As a result, as the motor spins, the spool 20 spins. Anon/off switch 22 is also located on the housing 18. The on/off switch 22controls the operation of the motor. Consequently, by selectivelyengaging the on/off switch 22, the spinning of the spool 20 can becontrolled.

[0021] One end of the flexible tether 16 is coupled to the spool 20. Asa result, when the spool 20 spins, the spool 20 either causes the tether16 to wind on the spool 20 or spin with the spool 20, depending upon theorientation of the spool 20 with respect to the unwound tether 16. Theopposite end of the flexible tether 16 is coupled to the display object14. In the shown embodiment, the display object 14 is a rubber ball.However, it will be understood that the display object 14 can be anyobject, such as an airplane, an insect, a cartoon character or the like.The display object 14 can also be a confection such as a hard candy. Inthe display object 14 is a located an attachment loop 17 that isattached to a ball bearing within the display object 14. In this mannerflexible tether 16 is free to spin without tangling even if the displayobject 14 is held stationary.

[0022] The flexible tether 16 is a length of flexible string having norelevant rigidity. The string also may embody elastic properties for apurpose that will later be explained.

[0023] The amusement device 10 has the ability to perform as an electricyo-yo. The spool 20 has a rear end 21 that faces the housing 18 and aforward end 23 that faces away from the housing 18. Between the rear end21 and the forward end 23 is a middle section 25. The middle section 25has a diameter that is smaller than that of either the rear end 21 orthe forward end 23. In the shown embodiment, the diameter of the middlesection 25 increases as it approaches either the rear end 21 or theforward end 23. However, such a shape is merely exemplary, and it shouldbe understood that many shapes can act as a spool. For example, if twoballs were spaced on a shaft, the shaft between the two balls can act asa spool. It should therefore be understood that the present inventionspool can be any structure where the middle of the structure is morenarrow than the ends of the structure so as to confine the area in whicha string can wind.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the display object 14 isleft free hanging at an angle generally perpendicular to the axis of thespool 20. As the spool 20 is rotates, the tether 14 will wind around thespool 20 and the display object 14 will be raised toward the spool 20.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that when the spool 20 isstopped from spinning and the spool 20 is tilted away from thehorizontal, the weight of the display object 14 will cause the tether tounwind from the spool 20. As a result, the display object 14 falls awayfrom the spool 20. By selectively causing the spool 20 to spin and stopspinning, via the on/off button 22, and by changing the angle of thespool 20 relative the tether 16, a person can cause the display object14 to rise and fall like a yo-yo.

[0026] Furthermore, the spool 20 can be caused to be free spinning whenthe on/off switch 22 is moved to the “off” position, Accordingly, aperson can wind the tether around the spool 20 by moving the on/offswitch 22 to the “on” position. As soon as the tether 16 is wound, thetether can be released by moving the on/off switch 22 to the “off”position. Once the on/off switch 22 is in the “off” position, the weightof the display object 14 will cause the tether 16 to unwind from thespool 20. Thus, by moving the on/off switch 22 between on” and “off”, ayo-yo effect can be created.

[0027] The amusement device can also be used as a mechanism forproducing oscillations in the tether. Referring to FIG. 4, it can beseen that when a person holds the spinning mechanism 12 and the displayobject 14, the tether 16 spins between these two held fixed points. Asthe tether 16 spins, the tether 16 will oscillate. The amplitude andfrequency of the oscillations are dependent upon the length of thetether 16, the mass of the tether 16, the rotational speed of thespinning tether 16 and the distance between the spinning mechanism 12and the display object 14. Given these variables, it will be understoodthat the amplitude and frequency of the tether's oscillations can beselectively varied by changing the distance between the spinningmechanism 12 and display object 14 as they are being held. As thedisplay object 14 and the spinning mechanism 12 are moved together, theamplitude of the oscillations in the tether 16 will increase, while thefrequency of the oscillations will decrease. Conversely, as the displayobject 14 and the spinning mechanism 12 are pulled farther apart, theamplitude of the oscillations will decrease and the frequency of theoscillations will increase. It is preferred that the tether 16 be madeof a brightly colored string. As such, the oscillations caused by thespinning tether 16 will be more easily observed.

[0028] If the amusement device 10 is being used to create tetheroscillations, the spool 20 serves no functional purpose. Accordingly, itshould be understood that the spool 20 can be removed or the amusementdevice 10 manufactured without the spool 20. Referring to FIG. 5, anembodiment of the present invention amusement device 50 is shown wherethe spinning mechanism 52 does not have a spool. Rather, the spinningmechanism 52 contains a motor and a power source to spin a shaft 54. Theshaft 54 is coupled to one end of the tether 56. As the shaft 54 spins,the tether 56 is caused to spin and oscillations can be created in thetether 56.

[0029] The amusement device embodies a third method of play that can beperformed with a spinning mechanism either having a spool, as in FIG. 4,or not having a spool as in FIG. 5. Referring now to FIG. 6, anembodiment is shown where the spinning mechanism does not include aspool, however, the same method of operation would be present if a spoolwere used. In this method of operation, the display object 58 is allowedto hang down from the spinning mechanism 52. The spinning mechanism 52is then used to spin the tether 56. Since the display object 58 is freehanging, the display object 58 spins with the tether 56. However, thespinning tether 56 also has oscillations that are effected by the weightof the display object 58. The shape of the oscillations can also bechanged by moving the spinning mechanism 52 up and down as the tether 56spins. The result is a rotating tether 56 that takes on complicated andaesthetically pleasing shapes. If the tether 56 has elastic properties,the shape of the spinning tether 56 will change as the display object 58bounces up and down as it spins. This provides an oscillation shape thatappears to periodically pulsate with the vertical movement of thedisplay object 58.

[0030] The display object 58 shown is a ball having a pattern ofdifferent colors on its exterior surface. As the ball spins, the colorsswirl together and generate the appearance of a new color that is notpresent on the ball. For example, if the display object 58 hasflorescent blue stripes and florescent yellow stripes, the ball willappear to be fluorescent green as the ball spins and the appearance ofthe colors mix. In alternate embodiments, the ball may have spiralpatterns that create aesthetically pleasing designs when spun.

[0031] It will be understood that the various figures described aboveillustrate only preferred embodiments of the present invention. Featuresfrom the different embodiments can be mixed to produce yet furtherembodiments. A person skilled in the art can therefore make numerousalterations and modifications to the shown embodiments utilizingfunctionally equivalent components to those shown and described. Forexample, the spinning mechanism can be embodied in many different forms.The spinning mechanism can be located at the end of an elongated stick,or contained in any other object, such as another ball. All suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An amusement device, comprising: a spool having aforward end, a rear end and a middle section disposed between saidforward end and said rear end, said middle section having a diametersmaller than that of said forward end and said rear end, wherein thediameter of said middle section increases as it approaches said forwardend; a housing containing a battery operated spinning mechanism, whereinsaid battery operated spinning mechanism is coupled to said spool forselectively spinning said spool; a flexible tether having a first endand a second end, wherein said first end is coupled to said spinningmechanism and is [spun by said spinning mechanism] connected to saidspool; a display object coupled to said second end of said flexibletether, wherein said flexible tether is the only physicalinterconnection between said spinning mechanism and said display object;wherein said flexible tether winds around said spool when said housingis held in a first orientation and said flexible tether is spun by saidspool without winding on said spool when said housing is held in asecond orientation.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein saidspinning mechanism includes an on/off switch for selectively activatingand deactivating said spinning mechanism.
 3. The device according toclaim 1, wherein said display object is selected from a group consistingof balls, molded cartoon characters, airplanes and confections.
 4. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein said display object is a ball andsaid ball has a design pattern of colors thereon that create a new colorwhen said ball is spun.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein saidtether is elastic.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein saidhousing is configured as a handle for holding said housing in one hand.7. A device for creating oscillations in a length of string, comprising:a length of string having a first end and a second end, wherein saidlength of string has a linear central axis when pulled straight; a firstgraspable element coupled to said first end of said length of string,wherein said first graspable element contains a motor capable ofspinning said length of string around said central axis; a secondgraspable element coupled to said second end of said length of string,wherein said length of string is the sole physical interconnectionbetween said first graspable element and said second graspable element.8. The device according to claim 7, further including an on/off switchfor selectively activating and deactivating said motor.
 9. The deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein said second graspable element is a ball.10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said ball has a designpattern of colors thereon that create a new color when said ball isspun.
 11. The device according to claim 7, wherein said length of stringis elastic.
 12. The device according to claim 7, wherein said length ofstring is brightly colored.
 13. A method of creating oscillations in alength of string, comprising the steps of: providing a length of stringhaving a first end and a second end, wherein said length pf string has alinear central axis when said length of string is pulled taut betweensaid first end and said second end; coupling said first end to a motor;coupling said second end to a graspable object, wherein said length ofstring is the sole physical interconnection between said motor and saidgraspable object; spinning said length of string about its central axiswith said motor; and selectively changing the distance between saidmotor and said graspable object, thereby altering the tautnessassociated with said length of string as said length of string spins.14. The method according to claim 13, further including the step ofreleasing said graspable element, thereby enabling said graspableelement to hang free and be rotated by said length of string.